Mythical Turul Bird, Buda Castle, Budapest

The statue of mythical Turul bird that guards the Buda castle. The flying Turul bird’s statue marks Hungary’s millennium anniversary in 1896. The Turul is the most important bird in the origin myth of the Magyars (Hungarian people). It is a divine messenger, and perches on top of the tree of life along with the other spirits of unborn children in the form of birds. The Turul became a symbol of power, strength, and nobility, and it is still used today on the coat of arms of the Hungarian Army and the Office of National Security.